I have had no correspondence with either the Minister for Justice and Equality or the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) regarding a proposed Direct Provision centre in Lisdoonvarna, County Clare.
I understand that the HSE are actively engaged with the Department of Justice and Equality and RIA to provide the necessary health care resources and supports to those living in Direct Provision centres.
They engage with the Department of Justice and Equality to ensure structures at community level are in place to support residents in current Direct Provision centres and also in proposed new Direct Provision centres.
The services of a Mobile Health Screening Unit is available to Direct Provision centres to complete a health profile of residents and to help transition groups of people to GP services locally. This alleviates pressure on local GP services and allows for a full medical history to be compiled for onward transmitting to the receiving primary care services and GP. Transport arrangements can be organised where required in conjunction with the Department of Justice and the Centre Management.
Asylum Seekers can access the Health Services in the same way as Irish citizens. They may apply for Medical Cards while living in Direct Provision and are entitled, as a Medical Card holder, to access health services.
There is a Inter-Departmental group led by RIA which comprises statutory agency representation with the aim of collectively addressing any emerging issues within the Direct Provision process. This has proved to be a useful model as a means of collaborating constructively around such issues.
